Washington, D.C. (April 22, 2010) – Members of Congress were given a firsthand look at the future of green technology today—an all-electric, purpose-built commercial truck from Navistar, Inc. that will create jobs, stimulate the economy and reduce our dependence on foreign oil—all while benefitting the environment.

Navistar is deploying the urban commercial truck with the help of a $39 million grant in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the Transportation Electrification Initiative administered by the U.S. Department of Energy and announced by President Obama in August 2009.

Navistar intends to build 400 all-electric trucks at its facility in Elkhart, Ind., in the first year and expects to reach production of several thousand vehicles within a few years as the market grows.

“Our continued support for the research and development of groundbreaking technologies, such as this all-electric vehicle, is vital to creating jobs at home, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and establishing America as the leader in clean vehicle technologies,” said Representative Joe Donnelly (D-IN, 2nd District). “I am proud that companies in north central Indiana are putting cleaner, greener technologies to work on our roads today.”

The collaboration between Navistar and DOE exemplifies business and government working together to make energy efficient vehicles a reality. Congressional support for further research and development of advanced vehicle technologies is critical. In fall 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation providing for a DOE program to fund the research, development and commercial application of clean-vehicle technologies (H.R. 3246, Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009). The bill is now under consideration in the Senate.

“Earth Day is not just about one day; it’s about doing the best we can to create a cleaner world with efficient transportation options every day,” said Shane Terblanche, general manager, Navistar-Modec Electric Vehicle Alliance LLC. “Navistar builds sustainability right into our vehicles. This electric truck is proof that, working in collaboration with Congress and DOE, we can bring advanced technology to market today.”

The all-electric truck, designed for maximum efficiency and environmental friendliness, produces zero tailpipe emissions and can travel about 100 miles before requiring a recharge. Intended primarily for fleets and commercial truck users in congested, urban environments where stop-and-go driving would otherwise consume a large amount of fuel—the vehicle has been successfully tested to 200,000 miles.

The all-electric delivery truck is the latest of Navistar’s green vehicle solutions and endeavors. In January 2010, the DOE selected Navistar to serve as its partner for the SuperTruck, a program to improve the efficiency of on-highway trucks by 50 percent. The company was also the first in the nation to develop diesel-electric hybrid school buses and plug-in hybrid school buses, and the first to enter assembly-line production of diesel-electric hybrid commercial trucks. Navistar is also a leading innovator in fuel efficiency and aerodynamics with its Class 8 trucks, including the International® ProStar®, the industry’s most aerodynamic and fuel-efficient Class 8 truck.

Other Navistar Background

The Total Vehicle Concept
Navistar founded its environmental leadership on the total vehicle concept, which integrates multiple systems from the beginning instead of designing each component to meet an individual standard. The total vehicle is more efficient from production to delivery, reducing product development times, streamlining the use of resources, introducing clean vehicles into fleets as quickly as possible, and improving vehicle efficiency once on the roads.

Navistar Selected to Develop DOE SuperTruck
In January 2010, the DOE selected Navistar to receive more than $37 million in federal funding to work with the agency to engineer new fuel efficiency and emissions-reducing technologies. The goal of this partnership is to develop a SuperTruck that provides a 50 percent improvement in fuel efficiency by improving truck and trailer aerodynamics, combustion efficiency, waste heat recovery, hybridization, idle reduction and reduced rolling resistance tires.

Most Fuel-Efficient Heavy Trucks
In addition to all-electric and hybrid-electric trucks and buses, the conventional line-up of International® brand commercial trucks is among the most aerodynamic and fuel efficient in the industry. Navistar was the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to receive dual certification through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay Program for helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Navistar produces two industry-leading Class 8 trucks with SmartWay certification—the International® LoneStar® and International® ProStar®—a distinction they received for their superior aerodynamics and fuel economy.